Apparatus for dispensing particulate material



APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PARTIGULATE MATERIAL Filed Aug. 5, 1964 Feb. 22, 1966 R. F. BAILEY ET AL 5 Sheets-Sheet l m S I mm M M TIL VI R NAIHNR 0 WBwE Jr" m A A M B W F m T HHB& C I 0 J RwR APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PARTICULATE MATERIAL Filed Aug. 5, 1964 Feb. 22, 1966 BAlLEY ETAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS RICHARD F. BAILEY JOHN F. MASON ROBERT B. EMERY ATTORNEYS Feb. 22, 1966 BAILEY ET AL 3,236,422

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PARTICULATE MATERIAL Filed Aug, 5, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS RICHARD E BAILEY JOHN F. MASON ROBERT B. EMERY MdcrM-(fi;

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,236,422 APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PARTICULATE MATERIAL Richard F. Bailey, John F. Mason, and Robert B. Emery, Duncan, 0kla., assignors to Halliburton Company, Duncan, 0kla., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 387,001 6 Claims. (Cl. 222195) This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing particulate material. In particular it relates to a tank for aerating bulk, dry cement or other granular material so as to accomplish the discharging of such material in fluidized form.

Prior developed apparatus for aerating and fluidlzlng particulate material have been characterized by substantial structural and operational deficiencies.

In general, it has been difiicult to modify conventional tank structures to enable the aeration of material being dispensed. Many aerating structures have been vulnerable to damage. Often, when a portion of an aerating surf-ace has been damaged, the discharge of aerating fluid through the entire aerating surface has been adversely affected.

Other problems have involved the contamination of aerating systems with particulate material being dispensedv and the consumption of inordinate and inefficiently employed quantities of fiuidizing material such as air.

Recognizing the need for an improved apparatus for fluidizing particulate material, it is an object of the pres-- ent invention to provide such an apparatus which sub-- stantially obviates or minimizes problems of the type heretofore discussed involving previously developed structures.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide such improved apparatus including sectional, particulate material aerating means, with each section of this means being individually installable and removable from tank means, which tank means may be open or closed and may embrace a variety of receptacle or hopper structures.

It is an additional object of the invention such apparatus which may be conveniently adapted to existing tank or hopper structures.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such improved apparatus wherein the sectional aerating means are particularly durable under sustained operation and wherein damage to a section of the aerating system does not adversely affect the remaining sections of the system.

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide such improved apparatus wherein the necessity of employing 0 heavy framing members to resist accumulated air pressure above an aerating surface is substantially avoided.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such apparatus which eliminates the possibility of contamination of the aerating system with particulate material being aerated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus which minimizes the volume of air required for effective aeration of particulate material while maintaining a generally diifused but relatively high velocity of air being directed into particulate material to effect its aeration.

It is likewise an object of the invention to provide aerating means which affords a maximized aerating surface within a limited generally annular space and which affords an effective distribution of air through aerating surfaces.

Apparatus for accomplishing the foregoing objectives, as presented through this invention, includes tank means in combination with means for fluidizing particulate material contained therewithin.

The means for fiuidizing particulate material comprises a plurality of enclosures, each of which is separately removable from the tank means. Each such enclosure has impermeable lower wall means, permeable upper wall means, and impermeable side wall means connecting said upper and lower wall means.

A plurality of separate conduit means are provided, each of which is adapted to separately supply pressurized fluid to a single enclosure.

Outlet means are provided on the tank means for discharging particulate material therefrom.

Particularly significant facets of the invention relate to structural characteristics of different enclosure ern bodiments and to the structural characteristics of a unique framework adapted to support a plurality of segmental enclosures.

In describing the invention reference will be made to preferred apparatus embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 provides a schematic, elevational view of the exterior of one tank embodiment including interiorly disposed means for aerating particulate material;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, partially sectioned, fragmentary and elevational view of a lower portion of the tank shown in FIGURE 1 with some aerating enlosures removed;

FIGURE 2a is a still further enlarged, fragmentary and sectional view of a portion of the FIGURE 1 tank illustrating one of a plurality of air-supplying conduits;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the FIGURE 1 apparatus as viewed along the section line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 with some aerating enclosures removed;

FIGURE 4 is a top, plan view of an individual enclosure comprising a portion of the aeration system of the FIGURE 1 tank as seen along the view direction 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view through a single enclo sure mounted within the FIGURE 1 tank, as viewed along the section line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a single enclosure, and its associate mounting means, of the FIGURE 1 tank as viewed along the section line 6-6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a schematic, exterior, elevational view of another embodiment of a tank provided with interiorly disposed, particulate material aerating means;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, sectional, plan view of a portion of the FIGURE 7 tank as viewed along the section line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an end, elevational view of a generally semi-conical aerating enclosure incorporated in the FIG- URE 7 apparatus as viewed along the view direction 9-9 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the FIGURE 7 structure, as viewed along the section line 10-10 of FIGURE 8 and illustrating the manner in which an individual enclosure is mounted within and secured to the wall of the FIGURE 7 tank; and

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged, sectional view of a portion of an aerating enclosure included in the FIGURE 7 tank as viewed along the section line 11-11 of FIG- URE 9.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a tank structure which may be employed for dispensing particulate material such as cement.

As shown in FIGURE 1, tank 1 includes a conventional top hatch 2, an uppermost roof portion 3, an upper cylindrical portion 4, an intermediate, generally frustoconical portion 5, a lower, generally cylindrical portion 6, and a lowermost base portion 7.

An outlet 8 intersects base 7, in sealed relation therewith, to provide for the discharge of aerated cement or other particulate material from the tank 1. Outlet 8 includes a particulate material inlet 8a communicating with the interior of tank 1.

Tank portions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are interconnected so as to define a unitary assembly. Hatch cover 2, which is connected by conventional means to roof 3, provides access to the interior of a tank 1 and may provide means for introducing particulate material into the interior of this tank.

As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, tank 1 includes interiorly disposed framing means for supporting a plurality of particulate material aerating enclosures to be hereinafter described. This framing means includes centrally disposed and annular rim means 9 which are connected to and peripherally encircle particulate material inlet 8a.

A plurality of spaced framing members 10 radiate outwardly from central rim means 9 and extend generally upwardly and outwardly toward the base a of the frustoconical portion 5 of tank 1.

Framing members 10 are inclined relative to the central axis X of the tank 1 and the frustoconical tank portion 5 at an acute angle a. Angle a exceeds the angle of inclination b of the wall 5b of the frustoconical tank portion 5, relative to the central tank axis X, as will be apparent by referring to FIGURE 2.

Outer, generally annular rim means 11 is connected to the interior of tank 1 at the upper end 6a of cylindrical tank portion 6. Rim means 11 is disposed substantially adjacent the base 5a of frustoconical tank portion 5 and adjacent the upper ends 10a of the radial framing members 10.

As illustrated, annular rim means 9 and 11, which are substantially continuous in character, may be inclined such that their upper surfaces are generally coplanar with the upper surfaces of framing members 11. Annular rim means 9 and 11 may be fabricated from ring segments or portions disposed intermediate the framing members 10 so as to be substantially flush with these framing members.

A plurality of particulate material, aerating enclosures 12 are supported upon framing members 9, 10 and 11 so as to define a generally frustoconical aerating surface extending generally continuously between particulate material inlet 8a and the wall 5b of frustoconical tank portion 5. Each enclosure 12 is configured and dimensioned, relative to hatch 2, so as to enable it to be removed or 7 installed through the hatch 2.

As illustrated in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6, each enclosure 12 has a generally segmental configuration in plan view. Each such enclosure 12 includes a substantially impermeable lower wall 13 which is intersected by an inclined conduit section 14. As illustrated in FIGURE 6, each such conduit section 14 is inclined generally away from the material inlet 8a and communicates with the hollow interior 12a of the enclosure 12 through an air outlet 14a.

Enclosure 12 comprises permeable, upper wall means 15. Upper wall means 15 may be composite in character and include a lower, perforate plate 16 having a plurality of relatively closely spaced apertures 17. Upper wall means 15 includes, as a top layer attached to perforate plate 16 by conventional means, an upper, porous and permeable layer 18.

Layer 18 may be fabricated of a porous and permeable plastic material such as commercially available, porous and permeable, high density polyethylene. The pore size of this material is such as to allow a flow of air or gas therethrough but prevent the flow of fine, particulate material therethrough such as powdered cement. The porous and permeable material of the layer 18 may have a permeability on the order of 10 to 15 cubic feet of air per minute per square foot of surface area of layer 18, at a pressure differential across this layer of approximately 2 inches of water pressure.

This composite character of upper permeable wall means 15 channels the flow of pressurized fluid through such structures.

the apertures 17 when such fluid entersthe upper portion of tank 1 to fluidize particulate material resting on the enclosures 12. This tends to minimize the quantities of fluidizing air required for discharging particulate material. The porous and permeable upper surface 18 diffuses and softens the flow of air through the aperture 17, while maintaining an effective air velocity, so as to avoid the formation of jets of unduly high velocity which might create undue channeling within the particulate material being fluidized.

Enclosure 12 includes impermeable side wall means 19 which connect the upper wall means 15 to the lower wall means 13. Side wall means 19 peripherally encircles the sides of enclosure 12.

Each enclosure 12 includes a lip means 20 which continuously encircles the upper edge of the enclosure 12 and projects outwardly from side wall means 19 substantially adjacent the upper permeable wall means 15. As illustrated, gasket means 21, fabricated of resilient sealing means such as porous neoprene, is attached to the lower surface of lip means 20 and extends substantially continuously, around the periphery of enclosure 12.

As shown in FIGURE 6, permeable wall means 15 may be stiffened and supported by transverse framing members 22 which extend across the enclosure 12 between oppositely disposed portion of side wall means 19.

The lip means 20 of each enclosure 12 is adapted to seat on two adjacent, radial framing members 10 and on portions of central rim means 9 and outer rim means 11 extending therebetween as shown in FIGURE 3. Gasket means 21 carried by the lip means 20 sealingly engages the upper surfaces of framing components 9, 10 and 11.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3, threaded fasteners 23 extending transversely and downwardly into framing members 10 may be employed to secure the lip portions 20 of each enclosure 12 against the framing members 10. Each two adjacent framing members 10 supports an aerating enclosure 12. Adjacent lip portions 20 of adjacent enclosure members 12, which are supported on a common framing member 10, may be engaged by the same threaded securing fasteners 23.

This framing arrangement, employed to support the enclosures 12, may be readily incorporated in existing tank structures without effecting radical modifications of This supporting arrangement enables the convenient removal of enclosures when the tank is to be employed for dispensing materials which are not to be aerated.

The sealing engagement between the enclosures 12 and the framing portions 9, 10 and 11 tends to effectively prevent a sifting of particulate material past the enclosures 12 into the lower portion of the tank 1 below these enclosures. The possibility of a particulate material entering the aerating system is avoided by this sealing arrangement as well as by the utilization of a separate air supplying conduit 25 for each enclosure, which conduit is sealingly engaged with the base 7 and communicates with a source of pressurized air exteriorally of the tank 1.

Each enclosure 12 may be provided with a batfle plate member 24 which is attached to oppositely disposed portions of side wall means 19. Batfle plate 24 is mounted between upper wall means 15 and lower wall means 13 and is spaced above outlet 14a.

As illustrated in FIGURE 2, a separate, flexible conduit 25 may be attached to the rigid conduit portion 14 of each enclosure 12 by conventional hose clamp means 26. Each flexible conduit 25 extends through an aperture 7a in tank bottom 7 to a source of pressurized air, not shown.

Each flexible conduit 25 may be sealingly connected to tank wall 7 by conventional sealing means comprising an annular base 27 rigidly secured to tank bottom 7, an

' annular and resilient gasket 28, a plate 29, and a plurality By screwing nut-like fasteners 2% onto rods 29a, the disc 29 is drawn toward gasket 28 such that it is compressed axially and expanded radially inwardly into sealing engagement with the outer periphery of the flexible conduit 25.

As will be appreciated, each enclosure 12 is provided with a separate air supplying conduit 25.

Tank lmay be provided with an exterior conduit 30 having one end 30a communicating with the interior of tank 1 in the upper tank portion above the enclosures 12 and having another end 3912 communicating with the interior of the lower portion ofthe tank 1 below the enclosures 12. This conduit 30 allows pressurized air introduced into the upper tank portion through the en closures 12 to flow to the lower tank portion below these enclosures so as to equalize pressure across the enclosures 12. This avoids the necessity of utilizing heavy type framing members 9, 1t) and 11 to resist accumulated air pressure above the enclosures 12.

With the arrangement of apparatus components heretofore described, the enclosures 12 provide a frustoconical aerating surface in the lower portion of the tank 1 converging toward the particulate material outlet 8a. Each enclosure is separately supplied with. pressurized air. If the permeable wall means 15 of one enclosure 12 should become damaged, the flow of particulate material fiuidizing air to the remainder of the enclosures 12 is unaffected. The damaged enclosure 12 may be individually withdrawn from the tank through the tank hatch 2 and either repaired or replaced by another enclosure.

The inclination of framing members 10, relative to tank wall portion 5b, is such that the aerating surface defined by upper wall means 15 of the enclosures 12, in combination with wall portion 5b, approaches a parabaloid in configuration. This configuration may tend to provide a uniquely smooth flow of material to the outlet 8a and avoid budging tendencies associated with steeply converging and narrow outlets.

FIGURES 7 through 10 illustrate a modified tank arrangement which may be utilized to fluidize particular material such as cement to facilitate its discharging.

Tank 31, shown in schematic elevation in FIGURE 7, includes a conventional hatch 32, a roof portion 33, an upper cylindrical portion 34, and a lower, generally frustoconical portion 35. Tank 31 may be provided with a particulate material outlet 36 which is sealingly connected with tank base 37 and terminates in a material inlet 36a communicating with the tank interior.

Particulate material may be introduce-d into the tank 31 through the hatch 32 or through a separate and schematically shown particulate material inlet conduit 38.

Aerating means, disposed in the lower portion of frustoconical tank portion 35, comprises a pair of nearly half segment, frustoconical enclosures 39 and 40 which bear a mirror image relationship to each other.

Enclosure 39 is fabricated substantially identically to enclosure 40. As shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, enclosure 39 includes impermeable, lower curved wall means 41 and porous and permeable, upper curved wall means 42, both of which slope upwardly and outwardly away from outlet 36. Lower curved wall means 41 and upper curved wall means 42 have upper edges 41a and 42a respectively which are horizontally arcuate in character. Wall means 41 and 42 additionally have lower edges 41b and 42b which are also horizontally arcuate in character. Wall edge 41a exceeds the length of wall edge 41b while wall edge 42a has a length exceeding that of lower wall edge 42b.

Permeable wall means 42 may be fabricated from a lower perforate plate layer and an upper porous and permeable layer in a manner akin to the structure of wall means of the previously described enclosure 12. FIG

URE 10 illustrates a fragmentary portion of the perforate plate 43 and porous and permeable layer 44 of the wall means 42 of the enclosure 39. Under certain circumstances it may be desirable or appropriate to fabricate wall means 42 exclusively of the porous and permeable layer 44 and to dispense with the lower perforate plate layer 43.

Spaced, substantially coplanar, and impermeable side walls 45 and 46 connect wall portions 41 and 42 and converge downwardly from the top of the enclosure 39 as illustrated in FIGURE 9. A horizontally arcuate, impermeable base wall 47 extends between side walls 45 and 46 and connects the lower edges 41b and 42b of wall means 41 and 42. The upper edges 41a and 42a of wall means 41 and 42 may be joined in abutting or contiguous relationship by conventional fastening means such as revets.

The configuration of enclosures 39 and 40 is such as to tend to offset a tendency for air to reduce in pressure as it expands in moving reciprocably between the individually upwardly diverging wall means 41 and 42. This pressure reducing tendency is offset by the upwardly converging character of the wall means 41 and 42 relative to each other.

As illustrated in FIGURE 8, the side wall 45 of the enclosure 39 may be somewhat spaced from a median plane P intersecting the tank 1 with the side wall 46 being similarly spaced from this median plane. Side walls 48 and 49 of enclosure 40 are similarly spaced but in an opposite direction from the median plane P so as to provide gaps between the opposing side walls of the enclosures 39 and 40 to facilitate their installation and removal from the interior of the tank 7.

As will be appreciated, each enclosure 39 and 40 is configured and dimensioned relative to the hatch 32 so as to enable its installation and removal through this hatch.

Each enclosure included in tank 31 is provided with an individual air supplying conduit comprising the sole means by which the enclosure is secured to the tank wall.

FIGURE 10 illustrates such an air supplying and enclosure clamping arrangement associated with the enclosure 39. As there shown, a conduit 50 is connected with the lower wall 41 of the enclosure 39 and intersects the wall 41 so as to provide an air outlet 50a communicating with the enclosure interior. A C-shaped bafile assembly 51 may be disposed in the proximity of outlet 50a as shown in FIGURE 10. Baffle 51 includes leg portions 51a and 51b which are attached to lower wall means 41 and support a baffle plate 510 spaced above air inlet 50a. Internally threaded, rigid conduit portion 50 extends through an aperture 35a of a portion of the wall of frustoconical tank portion 35. An annular, resilient sealing gasket 52 is mounted on conduit 50. An externally threaded, annularly shouldered coupling 53 may be threadably secured to the conduit 50 exteriorally of the tank wall and employed to engage an annular washer 54 so as to axially compress the gasket 52 against the wall of the tank portion 35 and thus expand this gasket radially into sealing engagement with the outer periphery of the conduit 50. In effecting this sealing engagement between the conduit 50 and the tank portion 35, the enclosure 39 is effectively clamped against the interior of thetank and thus supported within the tank. If desired, enclosure 39, like closure 40, may be provided with a lower lip 42c defining a continuation of upper wall means 42 and projecting below base wall 47. Wall projection 42c may engage the base 37 of the tank 31 so as to provide additional support for the enclosure 39.

Conventional conduit means, not shown, either rigid or flexible, may be attached to fitting 53 so as to individually supply air to the interior of enclosure 39. A similar but separate air supplying arrangement is associated with enclosure 40.

With the components of the tank embodiments shown in either FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 7 disposed as described, the effective fluidization or aeration of particulate material may 'be accomplished so as to facilitate the discharging of this material. Pressurized air introduced into either form of the described aerating enclosures passes through permeable upper wall means so as to enter particulate material supported thereon and effect its aeration. The aerated material then flows generally downwardly on the converging frustoconical aerating surface toward a particulate material outlet.

In describing the structure and mode of operation of the invention, several of its significant advantages have been demonstrated.

The segmental character of the frustoconical aerating means, as defined by a plurality of separate enclosures, facilitates the installation of an aerating system and the repair or removal of individual segments of the system.

The segmental character of this system additionally facilitates its being adapted to existing tank structures.

The structural characteristics of the enclosures and their respective mounting arrangements are such as to afford optimum air distribution and pressure maintenance as well as structural durability and minimized maintenance. In the event that damage should occur to an aerating surface of an individual enclosure, this damage does not adversely affect enclosures in other portions of the system.

The sealing arrangements described, involving the aerating enclosures and the separate conduits supplying air to each enclosure, effectively prevent the entry of contaminating particulate material into the aerating system and thus avoids clogging of the porous and permeable aerating surfaces.

The composite, perforate plate and. porous and permeable layer aerating Wall effectively minimizes the quantities of air required during the aeration of particulate material but maintains a generally diffused entry of air of optimum velocity into the body of particulate material being aerated.

The structure of the enclosures incorporated in the FIGURE 7 tank are such as to provide maximum aerating surfaces within a limited annular space.

The pressure equalizing system incorporated in the FIGURE 1 tank effectively avoids the necessity of employing heavy structural members to resist the loading of accumulated air pressure above the encloures 12.

Those skilled in the art and familiar with the disclosure of this invention may well envision additions, deletions, substitutions or other modifications pertaining to the preferred apparatus embodiments herein described, which modifications would fall within the purview of the invention as defined in the appended. claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for dispensing particulate material, said apparatus comprising:

tank means;

means for fluidizing particulate material contained within said tank means and comprising a plurality of enclosures;

each of said enclosures being separately removable from said tank means;

each enclosures having impermeable lower wall means;

permeable upper wall means disposed above said lower wall means so as to define a fluid receiving space between said upper and lower wall means, and

impermeable side wall means connecting said lower and upper wall means,

, each said enclosure having a generally segmental shape including a generally arcuate, laterally outmost periphery and downwardly and inwardly converging sides extending from said arcuate periphery, said generally segmental enclosures cooperating to define permeable wall means converging downwardly and inwardly;

said generally segmental enclosures being disposed in substantially contiguous relationship so as to define a plurality of individually removable fluid distributing enclosures, with each such enclosure being adapted to receive fluid from said conduit means in the space between said upper and lower wall means and then distribute said fluid generally upwardly through said permeable upper wall means;

a plurality of separate conduit means for separately supplying pressurized fluid to each enclosure; and outlet means for discharging particulate material from said tank means.

2. An apparatus for dispensing particulate material, said apparatus comprising:

tank means including an uppermost roof portion,

an intermediate, generally frustoconical portion,

a lower, generally cylindrical portion; and

a lowermost base portion;

means for fluidizing particulate material contained within said tank means and. comprising a plurality of enclosures;

each of said enclosures being separately removable from said tank means;

each enclosures having impermeable lower all means;

permeable upper wall means, and

means connecting said lower and upper wall means;

a plurality of separate conduit means for separately supplying pressurized fiuid to each enclosure;

outlet means for discharging particulate material from said tank means, said outlet means comprising an outlet conduit having a particulate material inlet in a lower portion of said tank means;

framing means for supporting said enclosures, said framing means comprising central, annular rim means encircling said particulate material inlet, a plurality of spaced framing members radiating outwardly from said central, annular rim means and extending generally upwardly and outwardly toward the base of said frustoconical tank means portion, said framing members being inclined relative to the central axis of said frustoconical tank means portion at an acute angle exceeding the acute angle of inclination of the wall of said frustoconical tank means portion relative to its central axis, and outer, annular rim means mounted on the interior of said tank means substantially adjacent the upper ends of said radial frame members and substantially adjacent the base of said frustoconical tank means portion; each enclosure including lip means projecting outwardly from said enclosure side wall means and being disposed adjacent the upper permeable wall of said enclosure and encircling the side wall means thereof;

said lip means including gasket means on the lower side thereof;

the lip means of each enclosure being adapted to seat on two adjacent radial framing members and portions of said central and outer annular rim means extending therebetween, With the gasket means carried by said lip means sealingly engaging said framing members and rim portions; and

each two adjacent framing members supporting an enclosure.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 1 including conduit means extending exteriorly of said tank means and providing fluid communication above and below said enclosures, said conduit means extending exteriorly of said tank means being independent of said conduit means for separately supplying pressurized fluid. to said enclosures and independent of said outlet means.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said upper wall means of each enclosure includes:

a lower perforate plate, and

an upper layer comprising porous and permeable material adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough but prevent to flow of particulate material therethrough;

wherein each enclosure includes a rigid conduit portion intersecting the lower wall means of said enclosure and having an outlet communicating with the interior thereof,

a bafile plate extending transversely across the outlet of said conduit portion in spaced relation with said outlet, said bafile plate being disposed between and spaced from the upper and lower wall means of said enclosure, and

flexible conduit means attached to said rigid conduit portion and extending through the base of tank means; and

wherein said apparatus further includes conduit means extending exteriorly of said tank means and providing fluid communication above and below said enclosures.

5. An apparatus for dispensing particulate material,

said apparatus comprising:

tank means;

means for fluidizing particulate material contained within said tank means and comprising a plurality of enclosures;

each of said enclosures being separately removable from said tank means;

each enclosures having curved and impermeable lower wall means having an upper edge larger than a lower edge;

curved and permeable upper wall means having an upper edge longer than a lower edge;

said lower and upper wall means diverging downwardly away from the top of said enclosures; and

spaced side wall means connecting said lower and upper curved wall means and converging downwardly from the top of said enclosure;

a plurality of separate conduit means for separately supplying pressurized fluid to each enclosure; and outlet means for discharging particulate material from said tank means.

6. An apparatus for dispensing particulate material,

said apparatus comprising:

tank means;

means for fluidizing particulate material contained within said tank means and comprising a plurality of enclosures;

each of said enclosures being separately removable from said tank means;

each enclosures having curved and impermeable lower wall means having an upper edge longer than a lower edge,

curved and permeable upper wall means having an upper edge longer than a lower edge,

said lower and upper wall means diverging downwardly away from the top of said enclosure, and

spaced, side wall means connecting said lower and upper curved wall means and converging downwardly from the top of said enclosure;

a plurality of separate conduit means for separately supplying pressurized fluid to each enclosure, each said conduit means being connected to the lower curved wall means of an enclosure and intersecting a tank wall portion;

means engaging said conduit means on the exterior of said tank means to clamp their associated enclosures to said tank wall; and

outlet means for discharging particulate material from said tank means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,665,035 1/ 1954 Schemm 222-195 2,723,054 11/1955 Louden et al 222-195 2,924,489 2/1960 Beckmann 30253 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING PARTICULATE MATERIAL, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: TANK MEANS; MEANS FOR FLUIDIZING PARTICULATE MATERIAL CONTAINED WITHIN SAID TANK MEANS AND COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ENCLOSURES; EACH OF SAID ENCLOSURES BEING SEPARATELY REMOVABLE FROM SAID TANK MEANS; EACH ENCLOSURES HAVING IMPERMEABLE LOWER WALL MEANS; PERMEABLE UPPER WALLS MEANS DISPOSED SAID LOWER WALL MEANS SO AS TO DEFINE A FLUID RECEIVING SPACE BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWER WALL MEANS, AND, IMPERMEABLE SIDE WALL MEANS CONNECTING SAID LOWER AND UPPER WALL MEANS, EACH SAID ENCLOSURE HAVING A GENERALLY SEGMENTAL SHAPE INCLUDING A GENERALLY ARCUATE, LATERALLY OUTMOST PERIPHERY AND DOWNWARDLY AND INWARD CONVERGING SIDES EXTENDING FROM SAID ARCUATE PERIPHERY, SAID GENERALLY SEGMENTAL ENCLOSURES COOPERATING TO DEFINE PERMEABLE WALL MEANS CONVERGING DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY; SAID GENERALLY SEGMENTAL ENCLOSURES BEING IN SUBSTANTIALLY CONTIGUOUS RELATIONSHIP SO AS TO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUALLY REMOVABLE FLUID DISTRIBUTING ENCLOSURES, WITH EACH SUCH ENCLOSURE BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE FLUID FROM SAID CONDUIT MEANS IN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID UPPER AND LOWER WALL MEANS AND THEN DISTRIBUTE SAID FLUID GENERALLY UPWARDLY THROUGH SAID PERMEABLE UPPER WALL MEANS; A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE CONDUIT MEANS FOR SEPARATELY SUPPLYING PRESSURIZED FLUID TO EACH ENCLOSURE; AND OUTLET MEANS FOR DISCHARGING PARTICULATE MATERIAL FROM SAID TANK MEANS. 